Someone find Stanley and let him know that it’s PRETZEL DAY! Sweet or salty, crunchy or soft, pretzels always seem to hit the spot. Today we’ve gathered a variety of recipes for parties, dinners or just personal indulgence – all with pretzels as the star!

Pretzels at Parties

We bet that you’ve never been to a party without pretzels. This time, instead of just throwing pretzels in a bowl, try one of our recipes! Our recipe for Mini Almond Cheeseballs packs all of the flavors of a classic cheeseball into a bite-sized treat. Cheese, bacon, onion and seasonings are mixed together, rolled in almonds and eaten with pretzel sticks. For a similar appetizer with different flavors, try our recipe for Pimento Bacon Cheese Bites. Little cheese balls, with an added kick of cayenne pepper and jalapeño, are served with pretzel sticks.

Pretzel Crusted Protein

Change up your usual dinner menu today and add pretzels! Young kids and picky eaters will love this recipe for Pretzel-Crusted Chicken Nuggets. Coat strips of chicken in flour, egg and pretzels before baking for 20 minutes! The pretzels form a fantastic salty crust on the chicken, adding flavor and fun to the meal. For a slightly more advanced dish, try this recipe for Pretzel-Fried Steak. In this recipe, the steak is coated similarly to the chicken, just with different spices. The juicy cooked steaks are topped with a homemade mango-onion gravy- adding the perfect amount of tanginess to the dish.

Pretzel Desserts

Don’t quote us on this, but we’re pretty sure it’s a law that we must combine sweet and salty in a dessert. Even if it’s not, you should definitely try our recipe for Snickers Dip. This recipe mimics a Snickers candy bar with cream cheese, Cool Whip and peanut butter. But what makes this recipe truly perfect are the pretzels used for dipping. Or try this recipe for PB Cheesecake With a Pretzel Crust. In this recipe, creamy and sweet cheesecake is perfectly paired with a crunchy, slightly salty pretzel crust.

Celebrate National Pretzel Day with us and stop by your local Sparkle Market for all of the pretzels and fresh ingredients you need to make these recipes a success!

This might sound cheesy, but we are so grateful for grilled cheese sandwiches. But really, who would have thought that bread and cheese together would taste SO good? Today, we’re here to change up your usual American and white bread sammy with some extra creative, delicious grilled cheese concoctions.

BLT Grilled Cheese Sandwich

Our latest recipe combines the best of two already delicious sandwiches- the BLT and grilled cheese. In this recipe, the bread is seasoned with butter, garlic powder and chives. Load each sandwich with an (already cooked) egg, cheese, bacon, lettuce and tomato before toasting on each side.

Chipotle Sausage and Pepper Grilled Cheese

For those of you that enjoy extra heat in your food, try our recipe for Chipotle Sausage and Pepper Grilled Cheese. This recipe takes grilled cheese to the next level with the addition of hot Italian sausage, bell peppers, onion and chipotle seasoning. Gouda and Cheddar cheese are deliciously melted within this sandwich to create the perfect combination of flavors.

Grilled Cheese Croutons

This may or may not be the most ingenious way to eat a grilled cheese sandwich. Instead of making a full sandwich and dipping it into tomato soup, cut the sandwich into croutons! This recipe walks you through a great homemade tomato basil soup, topped with homemade bite-sized grilled cheese.

Spinach Artichoke Grilled Cheese

Spinach Artichoke Dip lovers, we have created the sandwich for you. Our Spinach Artichoke Grilled Cheese includes a flavorful mixture of mayo, cheese, spinach and artichoke to create the ultimate sandwich recipe. The best part of this recipe? You can use the leftover filling in a dip!

Celebrate National Grilled Cheese Day with us and stop by your local Sparkle Market deli for all of the fresh cheese you need to make your sandwiches a success!

St. Patty’s Day is just days away! And for all of you last minute shoppers and planners out there, we are here to help. Whether you’re hosting your own party or attending one, we’ve gathered plenty of festive recipes perfect for St. Patrick’s Day.

Apps

Potatoes, corned beef and beer- the staples of Irish cuisine. At your party this year, serve some of these yummy dishes, inspired by classic Irish ingredients. Honor the humble potato with our recipe for Twice Baked Potatoes. With broccoli and cheese potato filling and crispy skins, this recipe makes a great appetizer. For something a little heartier, try our recipe for Irish Beer Beef Stew. This stew is full of flavor and easy to make in large quantities. Another great party app is this recipe for Baked Reuben Dip, filled with all of the fixings of a classic Reuben and eaten with toasted pieces of bread.

Dessert

When it comes to hosting any party, desserts are a must! For a cute grab n’ go sweet treat, try this recipe for Shamrock Bark. With colored chocolate and green M&M’s, this bark is popular among kids and adults! For something a little more sophisticated, try our recipe for Chocolate Chip and Whiskey Pecan Pie. This pie is a party favorite, complete with a sweet filling, crunchy pecan topping and hint of whiskey. These Green Velvet Cupcakes are another fun dessert option. Just use your favorite red velvet recipe, swapping the red food coloring for green, and top with a gold chocolate coin.

Drinks

Whether a casual family party or St. Patrick’s Day soiree, themed drinks make a great addition to an already festive lineup. For your little guests, make this recipe for St. Patty’s Day Punch. This punch is extra easy to make, with just pineapple juice, ginger ale and lime sherbet. For the adults, try this recipe for Midori Berry Bliss Vodka Punch. Bright green in color, this punch includes vanilla and raspberry vodka, pineapple juice, soda water and Midori melon liqueur. For more green drinks, visit this link.

Décor

It won’t be a true St. Patrick’s Day party if your house isn’t decked out in green, right? And with a little creativity and not a lot of money, you can make plenty of fun decorations! Try recreating these shamrock balloons. With green balloons and some string these are super festive and simple to make. These leprechaun belt cups are another great way to add some green to your party. Wrap inexpensive party cups with ribbon, stick a square of adhesive gems in the center and voilà, you have a leprechaun belt! And to spruce up the alcoholic beverages at the party, you can use these printable beer labels, free from Benign Objects.

As you plan out your St. Patty’s Day menu, stop by your local Sparkle Market for all of the quality ingredients you need to make your party a success!

Let’s face it, winter can be brutal. With the cold wind and wet snow raging outside, only two things sound great to us: staying indoors and eating a bowl of hot chili. And luckily, we’ve cooked up enough chili recipes to get you through the entire week, or the entire winter if you have lots of leftovers!

Hearty Slow Cooker Chili

Honestly, nothing beats a classic, hearty bowl of chili. And our recipe for Slow Cooker Chili takes little to no effort, while achieving amazing flavors. Simply brown the ground beef and add the rest of the ingredients to a slow cooker! This recipe is great for busy families that might not eat dinner all at the same time, or for anyone looking to snack on chili all day (we won’t judge).

Heart Healthy Chili

As a more heart healthy option, our recipe for Chicken Chili is not your traditional chili, packed with tangy and spicy flavors. This recipe’s cayenne pepper is sure to warm you up even on the coldest of days, while beans, corn and plenty of chicken will keep you full and satisfied. Another healthier chili option is our recipe for Turkey, Bean and Corn Chili. This recipe uses ground turkey rather than ground beef, and brings the heat with chopped poblano peppers.

Chili Appetizers

For anyone with a winter birthday looking to warm up their upcoming party, these chili apps might help! Our recipe for Cheesy Chili Dip includes cream cheese, chili, taco seasoning and lots of Cheddar cheese, baked to gooey perfection and served with tortilla chips. Our recipes for Chili Bean Dip and Chili Quesadillas are also crowd favorites. A mixture of chili fixings and cheeses, this recipe can be served as a dip with chips, or packed inside tortillas to make quesadillas.

Chili Mac n’ Cheese

Our recipe for Chili Mac n’ Cheese works as a great chili disguise for any kiddos that don’t care for the spicy soup. With plenty of cheese and mild chili flavors, our chili mac is a delicious change from the usual store-bought mac. This recipe also makes for an easy clean up, using just one pot during the entire cooking process.

Vegetarian Chili

Chili isn’t just for meat lovers! And our recipe for Lentil Chili proves it. With lots of filling lentils, veggies and seasonings, this recipe has all of the familiar chili tastes, without the meat. Our recipe for Vegetarian Chili also meets the mark, with plenty of veggies and irresistible toppings.

Endure the cold for just a little longer, and stop by your local Sparkle Market for all of the quality chili fixings you need. Then, hurry home, cook up your chili and get through the rest of this winter season!

Valentine’s Day is just days away and the Sparkle Matchmakers are here to make sure that your special day goes without a hitch. While we might not be experts in relationships, we do know a thing or two about food. Save some money, grab your groceries from Sparkle and check out these recipes, sure to be a match made in heaven!

Surf & TurfWhat’s more romantic and extravagant than steak and seafood? Now we know what you’re thinking, “this meal is going to cost a fortune” but it won’t if you use some of our great deals. From now until February 14, select Sparkle Markets will be serving up heart-shaped boneless ribeye steaks for just $10.99/lb, jumbo sea scallops for $12.99/lb and 4-5 lb lobster tails for $6.99 each (among other seafood deals).

Once you grab your ingredients, try our recipe for Coffee Marinated Steak, using the same flavorful marinade, but substituting the skirt steak with our heart-shaped ribeye. Or for a more sophisticated steak, try our recipe for Goat Cheese and Bacon Steak, seared in bacon drippings and served with a delicious Cabernet Sauvignon sauce. Dress up your seafood with our recipe for Hazelnut Crusted Scallops or this recipe for Garlic Lemon Lobster Tails. Both simple, yet mouthwatering choices, these recipes will completely compliment your steak.Cherry on Top

A romantic meal isn’t complete without a sinfully sweet dessert. If baking isn’t your forte, we’ve got you covered with our heart-shaped cakes available fresh from our bakery, for just $5.99! For those of you baking to impress, try our recipe for Cherry Dark Chocolate Cake. Fudgy and bittersweet, this cake is great for anyone that doesn’t like overly sweet desserts. Or, try our recipe for Red Wine and Chocolate Cupcakes. Brimming with red wine flavor and topped with a soft pink frosting, these little cakes pair nicely with the essence of Valentine’s Day.

Seal the Deal

If you really want to go above and beyond this Valentine’s Day, then surprise your sweetie with some flowers! Select Sparkles are selling a variety of flower arrangements including one dozen long stem roses in a clear vase for $55, a “beary hug” vase with fresh flowers and plush bear for $16.99, lots of love coffee mug filled with flowers for $24.99 and a teleflora “young at heart” bouquet for $54.95.

Let the matchmakers do their job this Valentine’s Day and trust Sparkle to provide everything you need to treat your special someone. And as you prepare for the big day, stop by your local Sparkle Market for all of the quality heart-shaped ingredients you need to make February 14 a success!

With years of experience in the grocery business, we at Sparkle Markets are not strangers to the chaos surrounding holidays! And this year, we are here to help you get through them with our customized Holiday Survival Guide, packed full with tips and recipes.

Step 1: Be Prepared

The holidays will be here before you know it, so don’t wait until the last minute to prepare! Start to think about all of the ingredients you’ll need for meals, desserts and drinks. Don’t forget about that one family member’s allergies or another’s picky preferences. If you get things ready before the chaos kicks in, you can avoid that last-minute grocery run, an hour before your holiday party.

In any survival situation, you must be armed with the essentials! And as your survival guide provider, we at Sparkle are here to provide you with all of the essential recipes for your holiday season.

Apps

The holiday party isn’t a party until the appetizers are set out! Try our recipe for Bacon Cheese Bread Bowl Dip, this recipe is simple, yet delicious. Stick with the cheese theme and also try this recipe for Pine Cone Cheese Ball! Made with plenty of tangy cheese and seasonings, this cheese ball makes a beautiful appetizer, topped with almonds to look just like a pine cone. Our recipe for Spinach & Roasted Red Pepper Dip is another crowd-pleaser, served with crisp tortilla chips.

Main Course

As you plan your party, don’t fret over a complicated main course. Instead, try our recipe for Beef Tenderloin with a red wine sauce. Seasoned and cooked to perfection, this recipe can easily be doubled or tripled to serve all of your guests (with hardly any hassle). This recipe for Glazed Ham with an apricot mustard is another great option for the main course! Select whichever sized ham works best and add this sweet glaze, for a delicious sweet and salty dish.

Dessert

Limit the amount of dishes you have to wash and choose to make some of these grab n’ go dessert recipes! Try our recipe for Candy Cane Cookies. With white chocolate chips and crushed candy cane, these cookies are a delicious holiday treat. For another dessert idea, try this recipe for Christmas Tree Brownies, cut into triangles and frosted green to make the perfect little trees!

Step 3: Handle the Aftermath

If any of your guests stay the night (or if you just want to treat yourself after the holidays), we have some recipes just for you!

Brunch

Start the morning with a delicious brunch, inspired by the best holiday flavors! Try our recipe for Eggnog French Toast, made with eggnog, cinnamon and nutmeg, this French toast puts the perfect holiday spin on this classic breakfast food. Use your leftover ham from the night before in our recipe for Ham, Egg and Cheese Rolls. This recipe is a simply way to fill hungry bellies while also cleaning out your crowded post-holiday fridge!

Drink

After the annual holiday festivities, raise a glass to all of your hard work! For the adults, try this recipe for Rudolph’s Tipsy Spritzer, made with citrus juice and vodka. For everyone, try our recipe for Spicy Maple Cinnamon Hot Chocolate– a great spin on the classic drink, with a touch of cayenne and plenty of cocoa!

As you prepare for the hectic holidays, stop by your local Sparkle Market for all of the quality ingredients you need to survive this season!

Happy “National Chocolate Covered Anything” Day! Whether it’s fruit or potato chips, nearly everything tastes better with chocolate…well maybe not everything. Check out some of these bizarre chocolate-covered recipes that we found just for you!

Chocolate Cheetos

We know what you’re thinking…Cheetos with chocolate?? However, this recipe for chocolate covered Cheetos is actually not as terrible as it might sound. The salty and sweet combination has been tried and surprisingly enjoyed by a few different food bloggers. If you know any brave food taste testers, this recipe might be the one for them! For a milder, yet similar, version of this recipe, you could also try chocolate covered puffcorn.

Chocolate Slim Jims

If you’re a spicy food lover, then this crazy recipe for chocolate Slim Jims might just satisfy your needs! This recipe dips Tabasco and Habanero Slim Jims in an Ancho chili chocolate sauce to create a hot snack with just the right hint of sweetness.

McChoco Potato

Can you guess from the name where this recipe originated from? Not too long ago, McDonald’s announced its newest upcoming concoction- chocolate covered French fries. Beginning January 26, these chocolate drizzled fries will be available to McDonald’s Japan market. If you just can’t wait for this innovation to come to the U.S., make it yourself!

Chocolate Kale

Chocolate isn’t just for the junk food enthusiasts! Since kale chips/shakes/salads took the world by storm a few years ago, it wasn’t long before someone started experimenting. Crispy and coated in chocolate, these chips are pretty tasty and won’t make you feel as guilty for eating them.

Chocolate Chick Peas

You might think we’ve gone a little too far with this one…chocolate covered chick peas?! But this recipe for roasted chick peas rolled in chocolate actually makes them taste like Whoppers! With cinnamon, vanilla and syrup, you can’t go wrong with this healthier rendition of the classic malted milk ball.

As you celebrate National Chocolate Covered Anything Day, stop by your local Sparkle Market for all of the quality chocolate and Cheetos you’ll need to make your sweet (and maybe a little odd) creations a success!